2 Best Sights in Nagoya, Ise-Shima, and the Kii Peninsula, Japan

The shrine overlooks Nachi-no-taki 那智の滝, the highest waterfall in Japan, which drops 430 feet into a rocky river. At the bus stop near the falls, a large torii (gate) marks the start of a short path that leads to a paved clearing near the foot of the falls. A 15-minute climb up the mossy stone path opposite the souvenir shops is the temple and its small museum. You can ride an elevator to the top of the bright-red pagoda for an on-high view of the waterfall. Next to the shrine is the 1587 Buddhist temple Seiganto-ji 青岸渡寺, starting point for a 33-temple Kannon pilgrimage through western Honshu. Many visitors walk here via the cobbled Daimonzaka slope 大門坂, found one bus stop before Nachi Falls, for a brief taste of the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails.

About 8 km (5 miles) from Kushimoto, this is Honshu's southernmost point. Stationed high above the rocky cliffs is a white lighthouse that unfortunately closes before sunset. Adjacent to the lighthouse is a good spot for picnics and walking on the cliff paths. The beach looks inviting, but sharp rocks and strong currents make swimming a bad idea.